Ireland can continue to attract inward investment and jobs despite the slowdown in the US economy and the series of jobs cuts announced here in recent weeks, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said yesterday.
"We get about 23 per cent of the mobile investment from the US. Clearly, we would be very vulnerable to any downturn in the US economy."
The Tanaiste was speaking after the official opening of the £6.8 million (€8.63 million) Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin.
The 6,000 square metre centre, one of the largest enterprise centres in Ireland, provides accommodation in Dublin's inner city for new and existing entrepreneurs in small and start-up businesses.
Situated in a former hop store provided by Guinness, the enterprise centre was completed with the assistance of private, public and State investment.
Of the 77 incubator units 60 are currently occupied, employing 210 people. Businesses in the centre include software and service orientated firms, small-scale manufacturing and light high-tech engineering services.
